Rockstar Games' recent Grand Theft Auto 6 announcements have highlighted the $20 price difference for its ultimate edition, a detail that could have particular relevance for PC players anticipating a future release. Examining the history of Grand Theft Auto 5's various editions suggests that content locked behind the premium GTA 6 edition may be bundled into the PC version at launch, potentially saving players additional cost.
When GTA 5 initially launched on PC in April 2015, over a year and a half after its console debut, it was an enhanced version. This iteration included some content previously offered in special and collector's editions for consoles. While some bonuses like stunt plane trials and custom character elements for GTA Online were included, items such as bonus cars, weapons, clothing, and tattoos, which were free with the premium console editions, became purchasable with in-game currency in the PC release. However, the PC version did offer some exclusive perks for returning Rockstar Social Club members.
If Rockstar Games replicates this strategy for GTA 6, the numerous items included in the ultimate edition could be integrated into the standard PC release. Notably, the ultimate edition of GTA 6 explicitly states that five different in-game shops are "only open for business with the ultimate edition." This implies that PC players, by waiting for their version of the game, might gain access to these shops, such as the Electric Fang tattoo parlor or One-eyed Willie's car modification shop, without needing to purchase the more expensive edition.
However, the landscape of game monetization has evolved significantly over the past decade. The necessity for Rockstar to offer such bundled extras with a PC launch might be diminished, especially if there are no new console generations to incentivize players to purchase the game on. The prospect of waiting longer for the PC version only to find doors closed to certain in-game services due to an edition choice could be a point of frustration for prospective players.